Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Shellac or not to Shellac, there is no question!



Last week my friend Cara and I went to Hollywood Nail Salon to get a french tip Shellac manicure.  Wow... what an investment.  Cara was much smarter than me and opted to just get the Shellac polish ($30) while I went ahead and got the manicure with Shellac polish (I had multiple broken nails - $40).

Let's just say customer service at this salon was lacking... in a big way.  Any stereotype you can think of that goes along with nail salons was portrayed to the T here.  Its okay, I can say this, cuz they're my people!

I digress.

Anyways, french tip Shellac nail start of similar to that of a normal manicure.  The exception is the use of the UV lights they use to dry the gel polish between coats.  I literally felt that I was going to get a sun burn after sticking my hand in that machine for 15 minutes.  Yikes.  All in all the final product was good, for me.  I haven't had any problems with chipping or my gel popping off (I had Axxium OPI gel once and it was worthless.  It popped off like Lee Press on Nails... ghetto).  There are minor stress fractures at the tip on the pain on my index finger, but this is within reason considering I have a constant problem of my nail breaking at that exact spot.  After a week the polish looks like it can hold up longer.  Shellac advertises that it can hold up for 3 weeks.  The dried gel feels similar to acrylic as it is very hard and shiny immediately after the manicure process is completed.

I feel like the Shellac helps promote nail growth as it prevents breakage, a problem I recently had due to a very bad manicure.

Color is okay.  I feel like the white appears to have yellowed a little, but I can't tell if that's dirt, makeup, or just the gel changing colors.  Its very minor and only noticeable if you sit and stare.

All in all I would definitely do it again and maybe forever.  I'm addicted to how nice my nails look.  And luckily, since they are NOT acrylic and I can wear this polish to work.  Yay!

I have not had the please of experiencing the removal process for Shellac yet.  I hear its time consuming and that it has to be done by a professional.

We shall see!

After 1 week

Monday, February 14, 2011

Happy Valentine's Day

Eight years ago on this night I started to date Jimmy.  How did we celebrate our "Dating Anniversary" as well as Valentine's Day?

Well Jimmy originally had reservations to a very nice restaurant in downtown.  After looking at the Valentine's Day menu we opted not to waste $150 on food we didn't want.  Instead we had a date at the mall ::swoon::  I had 2 tacos at TinStar (less than $8) and Jimmy had a slice of cheese pizza from Famous Famiglia ($5).  Can't beat those prices.

We also picked up a gift for me :-)  After making 2 full laps around the mall we landed at Anthropologie, big surprise.  Jimmy picked out a very cute apron for me and I picked out a cozy "San Francisco Jacket".  In case you are wondering, I gave Jimmy a small teapot and tea from Teavana this weekend.


3-D Toile Full Apron


Sleeping on Snow Fisherman's Companion Sweatercoat


Well I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's day that was more suited to your taste rather than the expectations we place on ourselves.  

Sunday, February 13, 2011

A Little Valentine's Day Baking

I did go to the store today, but only to buy groceries (boo).  I found this really cute recipe online and tried it out today.  Visually its so cute... taste wise, bleh!  Maybe it's because the recipe calls for Jolly Ranchers which I've never liked.

Here's the recipe:

http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/lovin-from-the-oven-685398/


The Kurmin clan's Valentine's Day celebration is one occasion when "cookie cutter" actually means "unique," thanks to these eye-catching candy-center cookies. And what does this Marshfield, Massachusetts, family drink with their tasty treats? Why, pink milk, of course!
Ingredients
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/3 teaspoon salt
  • 2 1/2 cups flour
  • Hard candy for cookie center (we used Jolly Ranchers)
Instructions
  1. To make the dough: Using an electric mixer at medium-high speed, cream the butter, gradually adding the sugar. Beat in the egg until evenly mixed, then blend in the vanilla extract and salt.
  2. With a wooden spoon, stir the flour into the creamed ingredients, about one third at a time, until evenly blended. The dough may seem soft, but it will firm up when refrigerated.
  3. Divide the dough in half. Flatten each portion into a disk and seal in plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight.
  4. To create the cookies: Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Cover a sturdy baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly coat the foil with cooking spray. Between 2 sheets of waxed paper lightly dusted with flour, roll the dough to a 1/4-inch thickness. Remove the top sheet.
  5. Cut out the cookies with a large cookie cutter. Use a spatula to transfer the shapes to the baking sheet, leaving about an inch between cookies. Remove the centers of the cookies with a smaller cookie cutter. (Save the centers to bake later.)
  6. Place a hard candy (we used Jolly Ranchers) in the center of each heart and bake until the cookies start to brown lightly around the edges and the candy is melted, about 8 to 10 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely. To prevent sticking, line your serving plate or tin with waxed paper and place additional waxed paper between layers. Makes 30.

    Online photo of the finished product:





    My photo of the finished project:

    So the cookie itself is yummy, just a plain sugar cookie taste.  The Jolly Rancher is very bitter though.  Maybe cooking the Jolly Rancher changes its molecular structure... I don't know... it just isn't good.  I think if I were to ever make these again I would try some cinnamon hard candies.  Also, these cookies are impossible to make if your cookie dough is warm.  I had to refrigerate my cookie dough between batches so I could handle them easier.  I'm sure a store bought cookie dough would work as well but the recipe is so simple that it would be more cost efficient to make your own.  :-)

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Galleria Clothes

I went shopping today at the Galleria with my good friend Ashleigh.  Its nice to be able to hang out with a friend that you've had since high school!

Here's what I bought:

Forever 21 - Embroidered Dress ($27.80)
This is really cute on.  Almost on the too short side so if you're taller than 5'2" this may end up as a tunic.  I had to exchange the first one I bought because there was a pretty bad snag on the arm.  




Lucky Brand - Kanji Wrap Hoodie ($9.99)
Yeah... that's right.  $10 for a super cute and comfortable wrap/hoodie combo.  This was a pretty heavy duty sale so I'm not sure if all Lucky Brand stores will have this in stock.



Hanako Zip-Front Hoodie ($9.99)
Once again, a deep clearance price.  Oddly enough these jackets are much more expensive online.  


Monday, February 7, 2011

Forever 21 Haul

My wonderful husband took me to the mall on our "1/2 day" off of work this morning.  I found some cute items there and also was able to buy a dress for Valentine's Day.  (Little fact: My husband and I will be celebrating our 8 year "dating" anniversary this Valentine's Day!  Yowza!!! )

Leatherette Eyelet Flats ($14.80) 
First impression: I actually like them, I didn't think I would.  I tired them on and noticed immediately that they were actually pretty comfortable.  The toes box is not too pointy and it goes well with a lot of things: jeans, shorts, sun dresses, etc.  Grade: B  A+ (I've worn these flats 3 days in a row and can't get over how comfortable they are!!!  I have big fat feet so its impossible for me to find flats that are comfortable.  I wish this came in every color.)



Flower Print Bows ($1.50)
First Impressions: SO CUTE!  $1.50 for two hair bows??? Such a good deal.  They're dainty and cute and fairly well made for the price.  Grade: A+



Glamazon False Lashes ($2.80)
Haven't tried these out yet, but they look fun! Not graded yet.

FIT Built-In Underwire Slip ($14.80)
First Impressions: Not such a fan.  The slip feels like its going to ride up past my butt after just 5 minutes of trying it on.  I'll go ahead and give it a try out soon to see if it does stay in place.  I'm disappointed since I need a good slip to wear under some of my dresses.  Grade: C



Eyeliner Brush ($2.80)
I haven't tried this eyeliner brush yet but its cute.  Damask handle and pink brush, what can go wrong?  Grade: C (I recently tried this out and it was just mediocre)





Cream Colored Lace Strapless Dress (27.80)
So my Iphone camera really doesn't do this dress justice.  Its more of a light cream color.  The lace is very pretty.  Fit for a small is rather tight on the thighs (or maybe I'm not a small LOL) and short in length, but a little loose on the top.  Overall its a cute dress.  I should have gotten a medium but this was the only one I could find.  Grade B-



White Sweater Cardigan with Ruffels ($13.50)
Now this cardigan is really comfortable.  I got a medium since they only had mediums and extra-larges left.  Its fairly baggy on me but that look goes well with the loose ruffles along the trim.  Its a very white white... not the nasty yellow I'm getting from the bathroom lights.  Grade A-

OOTD

Outfit of the Day:

I got a few compliments today on my outfit so I decided to show it.  (Also an upcoming thing that can be seen at Janet's blog too!)

Shirt: Deletta Je Ne Sais Scarf Shirt ($30)
Jacket: Sleeping on Snow Herringbone Sweater Jacket ($60)
Pants: Banana Republic Outlet ($16)

Hair Bow: Forever 21 ($1.50)

Shoes: Target Mossimo ($26)

Photography curtesy of Jimmy via Iphone camera (too lazy to bust out the SLR)

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Anthropologie Haul

I decided I wanted to post my adventures in shopping and crafting to the rest of the world, or at least the part of the world that was interested.  I contemplated on becoming a YouTube guru, but after reading the nasty comments that people leave I decided on a more discrete method... blogging!  Here are my most recent hauls from Anthropologie.

Normally when I tell people I buy things from Anthropologie I get one of two reactions 1) "I love that store!!!" 2) A raised eyebrow and "That place is really expensive".  I can relate to both reactions but I have found a way to continuing loving my store while not having to be broke.

Anthropologie has a great sales department.  Every Tuesday they place new items on sale.  If you have enough patience you can save quite a bit of money when your items go on sale.  I usually have to wait about a month or two before I can buy my stuff.  The nice thing about Anthropologie is that they are constantly showcasing new items (every Sun-Mon) so they are constantly putting things on sale.  You can buy something on sale that isn't necessarily out of season.

Another reason why I love Anthropologie is that they have a wonderful customer service department.  Regardless if your item is full priced or on sale they will help locate that item for you (checking all their stores in America) and ship it to you for free!  I've used this many of times and have been very pleased with the results!

So lets get on with it.  Here's my haul:

Sleeping on Snow - Herringbone Sweater Jacket (Original $118, Purchased $60)



Deletta - Je Ne Sais Scarf (Original $58, Purchased $30) 




Puckered Hydrangea Blouse (Original $78, Purchased: $20)



Floral Frappe (Original $58, Purchased $30)



Loop De Loop Henley (Original $58, Purchased $30) 



Brown Gathered Shirt (Original $58, Purchased $20)



So I recognize the fact that these prices may not be so impressive to some people out there, but that's okay.  I find that sometimes investing in certain pieces of clothing is worth it if I'm more likely to wear it often and for years to come.  Future hauls will include stores that are more budget friendly. :-)

Thanks for coming by!